Sako Rifle

[PattonTime]

Hi,
I recently got a Sako rifle, off of the internet , it was listed as a 416 Rigby, which I have one of all ready in a
Ruger #1. When I picked it up at my dealers I did not think to read caliber designation right away and have now realized it is a 416 Remington Magnum. I was sort of upset and asked about sending it back, dealer will take it back but will not cover my transfer fee and will only cover about half my shipping.
This is not why I am posting , I am seeking knowledge and worth of this Model, it only says AV LH on it, it is a lefty so I get the LH but although I know AV means large magnum action how do I tell when it was made and actual model number ? It is a beautiful rifle and am pondering if I should keep, but while having one 416 caliber is silly for me two seems really nuts. Plus , the Remington just does not have the mystique for me of the Rigby and I am all ready set up to load for Rigby.
Any thoughts ?

Chris

 

[RPRNY]

http://www.sako.fi/pdf/datatables/SakoOldmodelsNumbering.pdf

This may help on the serial number decoding front.

As to your dilemma, frankly, I think you have answered it yourself. Having a 416 Rigby is cool, if not particularly practical. Having another 416 in a super high pressure version that offers no substantial benefits is useless. Sakos are beautiful rifles. So you eat a transfer fee. Not the worst mistake you ever made. Return it and get another Sako in a caliber choice that works better for you - maybe your FFL will do a 50% fee on something like that.

 

[highlander 5]

Any time you can get a non belted magnum go for it. I'd love to have a 416 Rigby but the cost of the ammo is a heart stopper. Last time I looked it was somewhere near $100 for twenty rounds.

 

[4sixteen]

I have a Sako AV, it was originally a .416 Rem. Mag. These were made in the late '80's to early 90's before the arrival of the Sako 75. Typical Sako quality and is very accurate. It was recently converted to .458 Lott.

 

[R H Clark]

All I can tell you is that it is an excellent rifle and fairly rare to find if you can live with the caliber.

 

[HKGuns]

I'd keep the Sako.

 

[Gordon]

The .416 Remington is a really good caliber with some advantages over the Rigby IMHO, if you need that big a gun. While not as versatile as the parent .375 H&H because the 400 grain bullet puts the recoil over the top for most folks shooting elk and moose or eland it certainly is great for dangerous game. The ammo of course is much cheaper and easier to come by. Performance wise a 400 semi spitzer at 2400 FPS is nothing to sneeze at and easily reached at relatively low pressure in the .416 Rem Mag. I have a Sako Av also and consider it right up there as one of the best made rifles ever.

 

[PattonTime]

416 Rem Sako

I have to say, I am getting some great feedback here.
The gun is so nice I am starting to think perhaps I should keep it,the first thought I had is why have two different 416 rifles , but one is a single shot Ruger and one is the nicest looking Bolt gun I have ever owned.
Anyway, as I have learned more about 416 Remington, I am slightly less bugged by whole caliber deal. The pressure seems very high compared to Rigby, but its not like I can't download it ? I don't load Rigby to maximum, in fact I have been shooting some gas checked lead bullets with 5744 powder and great results.
If I send it back, i am out up to $100.00, depending how you look at it. I had to get rings for it so bought some from Beretta directly that were on closeout.
So, my last question, is $1300.00 for an unfired example of this gun a great buy ?
Albeit perhaps not my first choice in caliber ?

 

[Gordon]

Left hand AV unfired and in .416 is easily worth $1300, probably $1500. And remember those cast boolits will work in both.